Women's E3 Saxo Classic cancelled due to lack of funding

Sadly for fans of women's cycling, there will be no E3 Saxo Classic on the female, World Tour calendar in 2024 after it was cancelled by race organisers.

"Recent information obtained through various contacts forces us to make drastic decisions. A series of elements led the Board of Directors to decide to terminate the women's competition early," reads an official announcement from race organisers. "First, there are calendar issues with moving the women's race. On the Thursday before the E3 Saxo Classic for the men, there is the WorldTour race for the women in De Panne. Both retain their status and date. The inclusion of a third WorldTour race has proven impossible in the short to medium term. Additionally, most women's teams have too few athletes to split the races among multiple teams."

The women's edition of the E3 Saxo Classic only actually lasted for two races. Femke Markus took victory back in 2022 and Julia Kopecky was the winner in 2023. "The economic model for women's competitions is losing steam as organizational costs continue to increase, while the attractiveness for sponsors remains below growth expectations," continues the statement. "For this reason the Governing Council has decided, due to the lack of a long-term perspective on the calendar and the lack of sound financial prospects, to pull the plug."

The E3 Saxo Classic hasn't been the only women's race effected recently either as the UK-based Women's Tour seemingly has no future either, due to similar financial issues.